As Atlas Township and Goodrich residents brace for yet another round of debates regarding a proposed 1,000 unit mobile home community: existing area mobile home parks are nearly full’prompting some questions regarding the need for lower income housing.
Representatives of the Mobile Home Association, created by the Mobile Home Commission Act in 1977 to respond to consumer demand for orderly growth of manufactured homes in Michigan say that mobile home communities provide lower income housing in many communities, a ‘niche? that conventional stick-built homes can’t provide.
‘Some communities in more pristine areas should understand our industry has changed,? said Bob Eppelheimer, Michigan Mobile Home Association director, representing about 780 members statewide. ‘Stigmas have not changed, if they did people would recognize that our product is indistinguishable from stick built homes.?
Eppelheimer added that due to the high cost of developing these manufacturing communities, ‘you gotta make it work.?
‘Builders can’t say, ‘gee I hope we can fill em.? You don’t build these communities without knowing they can be filled. The (manufacturing communities) are very competitive, it’s no different than any other community.?
While the cost can vary, manufactured home costs are about $1,000 per month, based on lot rent of $400 and purchase of a manufactured home for $600 per month.
According to reports from the North Oakland County Board of Realtors the average sale price for existing area home sales is about $217,742. The amount is based on 128 homes sold between January 2003 and June 24 in Atlas, Brandon, and Groveland townships.
While the affordability of the mobile homes may attract lower income buyers, the lack of taxes paid and impact on the community must also be considered.
‘Affordable or not they (mobile home communities) must have some responsibility toward the rest of the community,? said Jerry Griffin, director of Legislative affairs for the Michigan Association of Counties, which represents all 83 Michigan counties.
‘Many of these manufactured home communities are sold on not paying enough taxes, yes, they’re less expensive’but it’s not fair to the rest of the area. Stickbuilt homes and manufactured homes and like comparing apples and oranges.?
Griffin, added that more than 50 battles between manufactured home communities and townships are currently being debated in Michigan.
‘The ripple effects on communities can be devastating. To combat this everything must be equal. Pay the same amount for taxes and follow the same rules and it’s a good start.?